Photo via The Times of India

‘Lacks common sense’: Ashwin blasts India over Yadav’s exclusion

India’s T20I series against the West Indies has sparked debate after veteran leg-spinner R Ashwin criticized the team’s decision to drop wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the third and fourth matches in Indore and Hyderabad. Kuldeep, who had troubled West Indies batters in the first two games—taking 2/33 in Lucknow and 2/53 in Ranchi—was omitted despite the visitors struggling to read his variations.

His exclusion came as India’s bowling unit continued to falter, with the West Indies amassing 247 runs in the fourth T20I, securing a 24-run victory in Hyderabad. Ashwin questioned the logic behind the omission, arguing Kuldeep’s presence could have restricted the opposition by 15–20 runs, especially on pitches offering bounce.

While Ashwin acknowledged the smaller Indore ground might have justified Kuldeep’s drop, he dismissed the idea that his performance in Ranchi—where India lost—was the sole reason for his exclusion, calling the decision ‘lacking common sense.’ The series remains tied at 2–2 ahead of the final match in Bengaluru, with India’s bowling strategy under renewed scrutiny.

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